A good many people — mayors, city councilors, managers, residents and theater-goers — have passed through the corridors of the old yellow building on the northeast corner of Second Street and Winthrop Hill in Hallowell.

But perhaps no one in the city’s history has been there longer or acquired more knowledge of the city’s business than the current city clerk, Deanna Mosher Hallett.

She born and raised in Hallowell, where she lives just down the street from her office. As a child, Hallett would stop by City Hall on her way home from school to visit her mom, Margaret Mosher. While still in high school, she worked as an election clerk.

With just a sparkle of pride, Hallett says she was in the first class that graduated from Hall-Dale High School in 1963.

Hallett comes from a long tradition of public service. Her father, Floyd Mosher, owned Mosher’s Machine Shop in Hallowell and repaired city equipment. Her mother worked at City Hall for 40 years.

Hallett worked alongside her mother and aunt, eventually filling the same positions as her mother: city clerk, deputy tax collector, assessor’s clerk, general assistance director and registrar of voters. She even brought her child to work with her.

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“She was small and the front desk had a drawer that she fit into perfectly,” Hallett said. “Hardly anyone knew a baby was in attendance, so it worked out fine.”

Hallett and her late husband, Bud, had three children. She’s the grandmother of 10, and soon to be a great-grandmother.

In addition to her city clerk duties, Hallett has organized two continuing pet projects over the years.

The Children’s Christmas party at City Hall has become a much anticipated part of the city’s annual Christmas in Hallowell festivities. With the help from a host of elves, Hallett coordinates the event from start to finish. At the other end of the spectrum are the senior citizen dinners held at the Sacred Heart Parish hall. About 75 seniors attend these gatherings, though it is not uncommon for more than 100 meals to be prepared since some are delivered to those who cannot be there. All senior Hallowell citizens are invited.

Hallett received the honor of 2000 Hallowell Citizen of the Year and she is also the 2012 President of the Maine Town and City Clerks Association. She was especially pleased to be named Clerk of the Year 2004 — a tribute she feels honored to have received because winners are selected by their peers. Hallett is a former secretary treasurer of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties Municipal Clerks Association and a member of the New England Municipal Clerks Association.

Former Hallowell Mayor David Bustin said Hallett is key to the fabric of Hallowell and its history.

“What sets Deanna apart,” he said, “is her genuine, friendly approach to people and her eagerness to provide the best service.”


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